Healthy Aging & Longevity

Last Updated: August 16, 2023

Longevity is the length of one’s life, while healthy aging (or healthspan) is the process of getting older while remaining free of chronic disease and disability. In other words, longevity describes quantity of life and healthspan describes quality of life.

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What is healthy aging and longevity?

Longevity refers to the length of time that a person lives, and the average lifespan in the United States is approximately 79 years. Healthy aging involves maintaining good health and functional ability in older age.

What does healthy aging and longevity encompass?

How could diet affect healthy aging and longevity?

Diet and maintaining a healthy body weight are crucial for healthy aging and longevity because they can influence the risk of age-associated diseases. Caloric restriction and intermittent fasting are 2 dietary approaches that have shown potential in extending lifespan and improving health factors related to aging, although their effects on human lifespan are still being studied.

Separate from caloric restriction, can substantial restriction of carbohydrates (i.e., ketogenic diets) increase longevity by reducing insulin levels?

Which supplements are of most interest for healthy aging and longevity?

Supplements of interest for healthy aging and longevity include cocoa extract, protein powder, certain B vitamins, NAD+ precursors, glycine, and alpha-ketoglutarate. Although these may reduce disease risk and improve lifespan in animals, evidence for their effectiveness in humans is limited and often inconsistent.

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References
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